Guttate
Guttate psoriasis often starts in childhood or young adulthood. It often comes on quite suddenly. It may be triggered by strep throat, an infection of the throat. However, many other conditions, including colds, chicken pox and tonsillitis, have been found to trigger attacks of guttate psoriasis. What does it look like? Guttate (GUH-tate) psoriasis looks like small, red, individual drops on the skin. These lesions generally appear on the trunk and limbs, and sometimes on the scalp. They usually are not as thick or as scale-covered as plaque psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis may resolve on its own, leaving a person free of further outbreaks. Or, it may clear for a time only to reappear later as patches of plaque psoriasis. Sometimes guttate can flare throughout childhood, often due to repeated bouts of strep infection or other upper respiratory illnesses. |
Plaque
Plaque psoriasis is the most typical form of the disease—four out of five people with psoriasis have this type. The technical name for plaque psoriasis is "psoriasis vulgaris" (vulgaris means common). Typically, it is characterized by patches on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but it can be found on any area of the skin. It may first appear as small red spots. They may enlarge gradually into well-defined patches of red, raised skin called either "plaques" or "lesions." They are covered by a flaky, silvery white buildup called "scale," which is composed of dead skin cells. This scale comes loose and sheds constantly from the plaques. Skin affected with psoriasis is generally very dry, and other possible symptoms include skin pain, itching and cracking.
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Erythrodermic
Erythrodermic (eh-REETH-ro-der-mik) psoriasis is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that often affects most of the bodyÕs surface. It is the least common form of the disease. Erythrodermic psoriasis can sometimes occur suddenly as the first sign of psoriasis, or come on more gradually in people with plaque psoriasis. What does it look like? It most commonly appears on people who have unstable plaque psoriasis, where the lesions are not clearly defined. The skin has large, red and fiery patches. Severe itching and pain may accompany the skin as it reddens and sheds. Erythrodermic psoriasis can disrupt the body's ability to control its temperature and can lead to severe illness. In severe cases, people with this type of psoriasis may need to be hospitalized if they have lost a lot of fluid, have an infection or have poor blood flow (circulation).
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Inverse
Inverse psoriasis is also called flexural psoriasis.
What does it look like?
In inverse psoriasis, smooth, dry areas of skin are red and inflamed. It is mainly found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and in other skin folds around the genitals and buttocks.Because of its locations, rubbing and sweating can irritate the areas of inverse psoriasis. It is more common and troublesome in overweight people.
It does not have the scaling associated with plaque psoriasis.
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Pustular
Pustular (PUHS-choo-ler) psoriasis is known as either "generalized" or "localized." Localized pustular psoriasis may be either on the hands and feet (palmo-plantar pustulosis) or on the tips of the fingers (acropustulosis), whereas generalized pustular psoriasis occurs in random, widespread patches on the body.
Generalized Pustular Psoriasis
Generalized pustular psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis. It is spread over wide areas of the body. It is also called von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis, named after the physician who first described it in the early 1900s.
Generalized pustular psoriasis can appear quickly. Within as little as a few hours after the skin becomes tender, blisters (pustules) of non-infectious pus can appear. The pus inside consists of white blood cells. It is not an infection, and it is not contagious.
It can cause fever, chills, severe itching, a rapid pulse rate, exhaustion, anemia, weight loss and muscle weakness.
This form rarely appears in children, although when it does, the chance of improvement is usually much better than for adults. Physicians generally avoid giving systemic (oral or injected) treatments to children because the condition may improve without those medications. What does it look like?
* Widespread areas of reddened skin (erythema) develop
* Skin becomes very painful and tender
* Pustules appear on the skin, then dry and peel within two days, leaving the skin with a glazed, smooth appearance
* Pustules may reappear and erupt every few days or weeks |
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